It's traditional amongst Gypsies to stay awake all night on the eve of a funeral as a mark of respect
The deceased is brought home to spend one last night in the company of friends and family (sometimes this can be 100s of people) and the night is spent reminiscing, recounting memories of the departed.
Although this is a very old tradition, it's origins lost in the mists of time, it serves several useful purposes
It gives people a chance to make their peace with the dead, and provides them with an opportunity to give moral and practical support to the deceased's family
It's a great comfort to spend the night listening to people tell stories of your loved one, to hear about adventures they had, and the impact they made upon the lives of others. To know that their memory has been recorded and has passed into folklore
It reminds you that one day, your own passing will be recorded thus, and makes you aware that you have a responsibility to behave as you would wish to be remembered.
Oral history is very important to Gypsies, for hundreds of years, it was all we had. It strengthens the ties that bind a minority race.
Thats interesting